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Arsenal have been linked to several strikers in the latest transfer windows. The club are presently without a recognised striker as Kai Havertz is sidelined.
Former England striker Gary Lineker discussed the striker Arsenal should target in the upcoming transfer window during a recent episode of the “The Rest is Football” podcast. With Arsenal’s current lack of firepower threatening their Premier League title ambitions, Lineker’s insights have sparked considerable interest among fans and pundits.
Arsenal’s need for a top-class striker has become increasingly evident this season. Despite long-term injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, the Gunners failed to make any signings during the January transfer window. The situation worsened when Kai Havertz picked up a season-ending injury during a warm-weather training camp in Dubai.
Alexander Isak has often been linked with the Gunners. In January, the north London club made a surprising bid to bring Ollie Watkins to the capital. However, Lineker suggested two other names.
“Victor Osimhen is there, isn’t he?” he mentioned on his “The Rest Is Football” podcast on Monday.
“He would undoubtedly score goals for them. The issue they face now is that everyone knows they need a forward.”
So a player who might have cost £60-70million is now going to be worth £100-110m when Arsenal come in. They’re going to have to pay over the odds and perhaps that was their issue last summer and in January, maybe they refused to pay over the top for someone.
‘They need a top-class centre forward, they did before a ball was kicked this season and my opinion hasn’t changed.’
While Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer suggested that Arsenal should consider signing Victor Osimhen, Lineker believes the Gunners should look closer to home. He recommended Ipswich Town’s young striker, Liam Delap, as a potential solution to Arsenal’s striker woes. Delap has already hit double figures in his first full Premier League season and is expected to leave Ipswich if they get relegated.
Lineker acknowledged that Delap is young and not entirely proven but praised his movement and goal-scoring ability. He believes that Delap could be a shrewd acquisition for Arsenal, especially given the club’s current financial constraints.
Victor Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray after being frozen out by Napoli boss Antonio Conte, has also been linked with a move to Arsenal. Osimhen’s impressive performances in the Serie A-winning campaign with Napoli in 2022-23 have made him a sought-after striker. However, Lineker pointed out that Arsenal might have to pay over the odds to secure Osimhen’s services, given the club’s urgent need for a forward.
The discussion about which striker Arsenal should sign is still going on as the team looks to bolster its squad for the upcoming campaign. While Osimhen remains a popular choice, Lineker’s recommendation of Liam Delap offers an intriguing alternative. Whether Arsenal opts for the proven talent of Osimhen or the potential of Delap, one thing is clear: the Gunners need a top-class striker to compete at the highest level.
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